Vaginal douche apparatus



Oct. 22, I963 R. G. FARINA ETAL VAGINAL DOUCHE APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 5, 1961 mmvrons. RENE G. FAR\NA MIYIACELYN J. WE\SHAAR WW4QQ/ Oct. 22, 1963 R. FARINA ETAL VAGINAL noucms APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 5, 1961 ENTORs. FA RNA \YIACELYN J.WE\SHAAR RENE G.

United States Patent 3,107,671 VAGIYAL DOUCEE APPARATUS Rene G. Farina, Chicago, lib, and Marcelyn ll. Weishaar, Howard, S. Dak. (both of 5630 S. Stony Island Ave., Chicago, Ill.)

Filed May 5, 1961, Ser- No. ltl8,124 6 (Ilairns. (ill. 128-229) This invention relates generally to vaginal douche apparatus and more particularly to improved vaginal douche apparatus of the type which is adapted to be connected to a water faucet and including a nozzle of novel construction and increased eiliciency.

The use of irrigating syrin es for medical or hygienic purposes is of course old and well known. Syringes may be beneficially employed for irrigating any of the accessible body cavities, but the most common and extensive use thereof is in vaginal douche apparatus. Originally, vaginal douches generally comprised merely a nozzle of some type connected to a hand squeeza'ble bulb or a container which had to be hung in an elevated position to provide gravity pressure for the irrigating liquid. The disadvantages of such earlier douches were readily apparent, the chief one being the fact that the supply of irrigating liquid was always limited and small.

In more recent years there have been provided various vaginal douches which were attachable to a constant source of water under pressure, such as a water faucet. While these douches overcame the liquid supply problem by affording a means for continuous irrigation, they nonetheless gave rise to new and additional problems. Thus, for example, they were often large, cumbersome, difiicult to operate, and included a number of intricate and expensive parts which Were subject to breakdown and clogging such as various forms of valves and the like. Similarly, safety pressure release means were not provided to insure against situations where the water pressure in the apparatus might inadvertently become excessive.

It -is therefore an important object of this invention to provide improved vaginal douche apparatus of the character described which overcomes all of the aforementioned disadvantages.

Another object is to afford improved vaginal douche apparatus of the character described which is compact and light in weight so that the same may be conveniently carried about as in a handbag or the like.

A further object is to provide improved vaginal douche apparatus of the character described which is extremely simple to operate and has no intricate valves or the like which are subject to breakdown and clogging.

Still another object is to afford improved vaginal douche apparatus of the character described including automatic safety means for releasing water pressure in the event that the same inadvertently becomes excessively high.

Yet another object is to provide improved vaginal douche apparatus of the character described including a mixing chamber wherein antiseptics or medicaments may e mixed with the water.

It is well known that the greatest number of vaginal infection problems occur in the cervix. This situation may be attributed in great measure to the fact that the cervical orifice has heretofore been virtually inaccessible for purposes of irrigation and cleansing. Although a multitude of vaginal douche nozzles have been heretofore provided, the problem was not solved thereby. Thus, none of the prior nozzles was able properly to reach the cervical orifice and deliver a liquid stream into the cervix for the efiicient irrigation and cleaning thereof.

It is therefore another important object of the invention to provide improved vaginal douche apparatus of the character described including a novel nozzle which permits the ready and efficient irrigation of the cervix.

Another object is to afford a nozzle of the character described which is constructed so that the same may be readily operationally positioned at the cervical orifice and yet will not block the same.

Still another object is to provide a nozzle of the character described which in addition to emitting a forwardly directed spray for irrigating the cervix, simultaneously emits a circularly radiating sheet spray for most efficiently irrigating the vaginal cavity. in this regard, the nozzle employs unique spirally cut and positioned slits as distinguished from the customary circular holes.

A further object is to afford improved vaginal douche apparatus of the character described which may be inexpensively manufactured and yet is most efficient for the purposes intended.

With the foregoing and other objects in View which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, arrangement and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of the structure may be made without de parting from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of our invention, we have illustrated in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, our invention, its mode of construction, assembly and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

Referring to the drawings in which the same characters of reference are employed to indicate corresponding or similar parts throughout the several figures of the drawmgs:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevational View of improved vaginal douche apparatus embodying the principles of the invention and showing the same operationally connected to a Water faucet with the mixing bag in its empty collapsed condition;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the mixing bag and associated connections showing the bag in its fully expanded operational condition;

FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the novel mixing bag cap showing the safety pressure release valve in the closed condition;

FIG. 4 is a similar View showing the release valve in the open condition;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the novel nozzle of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the nozzle;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view thereof;

PEG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the nozzle tip taken on the plane of line 8-45 in FIG. 6 and viewed in the direction indicated;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational View looking directly into the nozzle tip; and

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane of line 1@1fi in FIG. 8 and viewed in the direc tion indicated.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the reference character lb indicates generally improved vaginal douche apparatus embodying the principles of the invention. In general, the apparatus 16 comprises a mixing chamber 12, an inlet tube lid and a nozzle 16, said nozzle being connected to the mixing chamber by an outlet tube 18. The inlet tube 14 may comprise a Y-shaped tube section 20 having a pair of arms 22 and 24. Cone shaped faucet connectors such as 26 and 28 are integrally formed with or otherwise connected to the free ends of the arms 22 and 24-. The connectors 26 and 28 are shown operationally and removably positioned on a pair of faucets 3t? and 32 which may comprise sources of hot and cold water respectively. When the water source comprises instead only a single mixer faucet, it is simply necessary to connect thereto one of the connectors such as 26 w ereupon the loose arm 2 may be clamped off by a suitable clamp such as 34- (see dotted showing of FIG. 1). Both of the tubes 14 and 13 may of course be made in the usual manner of a flexible material such as rubber or the like.

The mixing chamber 12 comprises a bag 36 which may likewise be made of a flexible and elastic material such as rubber or the like. For purposes of compactness, we prefer that the bag 36 be generally rectangular in shape and accordion pleated so that the same lies substantially flat when not in use, but is nonetheless readily expandable to afford a container of substantial size when in use (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The bag 36 thus includes a top wall 38, a bottom wall it? and a pair of end walls 42 and 44.

Formed in the top wall 38 adjacent the end wall 42 is an annular inlet opening 46 which is circumscribed by an internally threaded annular collar such as 48. Cooperating with the collar 48 is a threaded cap member i) which may be made of a suitable rigid material such as plastic or metal. The cap member 50 is provided with an annular opening 52 in the top thereof, and mounted in said opening 52 is a novel dome-shaped. closure member 54.

The closure member 54 is made of a relatively soft and elastic material such as rubber, and the same may be threadedly received in the opening 52 as indicated, or else merely tightly wedged or glued therein. Formed in the top of the closure member 54 is an opening 56 and annular ridge 5% in which may be tightly but removably fitted a rigid tube connector il) of well known construction. The inlet tube 24 is of course removably connected over the protruding end of the connector of as indicated.

It is important to note, as indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, that the closure member 54 is formed with a pressure release opening 62 therethrough. Due to the elastic material of construction and spherical configuration of the closure member 54, the release opening 62 is normally tightly compressed and sealed so that the same is water tight. However, when suificient pressure (on the order of pounds per square inch) is applied to the inner surface of the closure member 54, said memer is caused to expand sufilciently to open the release opening 62. There is thus provided a simple and efficient safety pressure release means which will function automatically if the water pressure in the apparatus becomes inadvertently excessive.

An outlet opening 64 is formed in the top wall 38 of the bag 36 adjacent the end wall 44, and another tube connector fill may be tightlybut removably positioned therein. The outlet tube 18 is removably connected over the protruding end of the connector 6%. As indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2, any Water entering the bag 36 through the inlet tube 14 must flow over substantially the entire length of the bag before exiting through the outlet tube 18. It may thus be appreciated that any medicament, whether liquid, solid or powder, which is initially placed in the bag 36 will be thoroughly and efficiently mixed with the water flowing therethrough. Such medicaments may of course be readily placed in the bag 36 by merely removing the cap member 56 and inserting the same through the inlet opening 46.

Attached to the end wall 42 may be an apertured tab such as 65. Thus, if desired, the bag 36 also may be used in the well known manner by hanging the same from an elevated support. in that event, it is simply necessary to completely remove the cap member 5% and inlet tube 14.

Turning now to H65. 5 through 10 of the drawings, the novel nozzle 2-16 will now be described. The nozzle 16 may be made of any suitable material such as hard rubber, various plastics, metal, etc., and the same comprises an elongated stem 66 which is upwardly curved as indicated to closely approximate the natural curve of the vaginal tract. The stem 66 terminates rearwardly in a typical tube connector element 68 whereby the same may be removably connected to the outlet tube 18. At its forward end, the stem 66 terminates in an enlarged diameter, bulbous-shaped tip '76.

It is important to note that the tip 76 has an angular front edge 72 which tapers rearwardly from bottom to top (see PiGS. 5, 7 and 8). Closing the front of the tip 7t? is a concave front face '74 having a central projection 75 integrally formed therewith. The projection 76 is formed with a spray hole 78 therethrough, and, as in dicated in PEG. 8, the projection is in recessed relationship wlth the front edge 72 of the tip 79. The front face 7% is likewise formed with aplurality of spray holes such as 8i). When the nozzle 16 is operationally positioned for use, the projection 76 functions as a centering means to automatically position the tip 70, and partic ularly the front edge 72 and front face '74 thereof, at the orifice of the cervix. At the same time, it will be noted that the angular edge 72 and concave face 74 cooperate to insure that the cervical orifice will not become completely blocked. There is thus afforded a ready and efficient means for safely irrigating the heretofore inaccessible cervix.

I For purposes of irrigating the vaginal cavity itself, the side wall of the tip it? is provided with a plurality of novel spray slits 82. In the embodiment illustrated, the slits 32 are eight in number and the same are angularly or spirally arranged as indicated. It is important to note, as best illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 10, that the slits 82 are additionally spirally out through the side wall of the tip 76. The slits 82 thus project rearwardly and angularly through the side wall of the tip from the inner surface to the outer surface thereof. Each of the uniquely shaped and positioned slits 82 produces a fine stream of liquid which is substantially wider than it is thick, and further, a spray which generally radiates or fans out. The combination of all of the circumferentially arranged slits 82 results in the several fanned sprays combining in overlapped relation to provide a 360 coverage. There is thus provided a most efficient irrigating spray for the vaginal cavity. For even greater efliciency, a pair of similar slits such as 84 may be cut through the side wall of the tip 70 and positioned near the base thereof as indicated.

From the foregoing description and drawings, it should be apparent without further description that We have provided improved vaginal douche apparatus which is simple to operate and compact. The apparatus is adapted to be connected to a source of water pressure such as a faucet and includes sure-acting safety pressure release means. The novel nozzle insures proper irrigation of the cervical orifice and simultaneously provides a most eflicient spirally radiating sheet spray for irrigating the vaginal cavity. In addition, the entire apparatus may be inexpensively fabricated from ordinary and durable materials of manufacture.

It is believed that our invention, its mode of construction and assembly, and many of its advantages should be readily understood from the foregoing Without further description, and it should also be manifest that While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described for illustrative purposes, the structural details are nevertheless capable of wide variation Within the purview of our invention as defined in the appended claims.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Douche apparatus of the class described comprising a mixing bag having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, a cap member removably closing said inlet opening, a supply tube removably connected to said cap member, pressure release means mounted in said cap member, a discharge tube removably connected to said outlet opening, and a nozzle connected to said discharge tube, 'said pressure release means comprising an elastic dome-shaped member having a release opening formed therein, said release opening being normally closed and adapted to open when sufiicient pressure is exerted on the inner surface of said dome-shaped member.

2. The douche apparatus of claim 1 in which said nozzle comprises an upwardly curved stem having a bulbous front tip, said tip having an angular front edge, a concave face closing the front of said tip, and a centering projection secured to said concave face, said concave face and centering projection being formed with a plurality of spray holes therethrough.

3. The douche apparatus of claim 2 in which said tip is formed with a plurality of spray slits spaced circumferentially around the side wall thereof, said spray slits adapted to provide a sheet spray radiating through a 360 arc.

4. In douche apparatus of the character described including a mixing bag having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, a cap member removably closing said inlet opening and an elastic dome-shaped member mounted in said cap member, said dome-shaped member being formed with a pressure release opening therein, said pressure release opening being normally closed and adapted to open when suificient pressure is exerted on the inner surface of said dome-shaped member.

5. Douche apparatus of the character described comprising an elastic accordion pleated mixing bag having a top wall and a bottom wall, an inlet opening and an outlet opening formed in said top wall adjacent opposite ends thereof, a cap member threadedly received in said inlet opening, said cap member being formed with an opening in the top thereof, an elastic dome-shaped closure member mounted in said cap member opening, said closure member being formed with a pressure release opening therethrough, said pressure release opening being normally closed and adapted to open when sufiicient pressure is applied to the inner surface of said closure member, connector means removably mounted in said closure member, a supply tube removably connected to said connector means, a discharge tube removably connected to said outlet opening, and a nozzle connected to said discharge tube and adapted to irrigate the cervix and the vaginal cavity of a user of said apparatus.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which said nozzle comprises an upwardly curved hollow stern having a hollow bulbous tip integrally formed at the front thereof, said tip having an angular front edge tapering rearwardly from the bottom to the top thereof, a perforated concave face closing the front of said tip, a perforated centering projection integral with said front face, a plurality of angularly positioned spray sli-tsformed in said tip and spaced circumferentially thereabout, said spray slits being spirally cut through the wall of said tip and projecting rearwardly from the inner to the outer surfaces thereof, and a pair of spray slits formed in said tip adjacent the rear base thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 466,336 Franklin Jan. 5, 1892 1,638,532 Kallmeyer Aug. 9, 1927 1,730,378 Novak Oct. 8, 1929 1,90-1,(l69 7 Williams Mar. 14, 1933 1,958,811 Boehme May 15, 1934 1,991,278 Heintz Feb. 12, 1935 2,525,419 Mellinger et al Oct. 10, 1950 

4. IN DOUCHE APPARATUS OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED INCLUDING A MIXING BAG HAVING AN INLET OPENING AND AN OUTLET OPENING, A CAP MEMBER REMOVABLY CLOSING SAID INLET OPENING AND AN ELASTIC DOME-SHAPED MEMBER MOUNTED IN SAID CAP MEMBER, SAID DOME-SHAPED MEMBER BEING FORMED WITH A PRESSURE RELEASE OPENING THEREIN, SAID PRESSURE RELEASE OPENING BEING NORMALLY CLOSED AND ADAPTED TO OPEN WHEN SUFFICIENT PRESSURE IS EXERTED ON THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID DOME-SHAPED MEMBER. 